 | This article needs additional citations for verification. (June 2018) |
| Twin Cities Marathon | |
|---|---|
 Twin Cities Marathon logo | |
| Date | 06 October 2024 |
| Location | Minneapolis, Minnesota to St. Paul, Minnesota |
| Distance | 26.219 miles (42.195 km) |
| Primary sponsor | Medtronic |
| Established | 1982 |
| Course records | Men: 2:08:51 (2016) Dominic Ondoro Women: 2:26:51 (2001 and 2004) Zinaida Semenova and Irina Permitina (respectively) |
| Official site | https://www.tcmevents.org/alleventsandraces/medtronictwincitiesmarathonweekend/medtronictwincitiesmarathon |
| Participants | 8,800 |
The Twin Cities Marathon is a marathon in the Minneapolis–Saint Paul area which normally takes place the first weekend in October. The race is often called "The Most Beautiful Urban Marathon in America" due to a course that winds through downtown districts, then along parkways that hug lakes and waterways all throughout dense urban forests in the neighborhoods of both cities.
The first Twin Cities marathon took place on October 3, 1982 after both Minneapolis and St. Paul combined their separate marathon events. Its earliest predecessor, the Land of Lakes Marathon, began in 1963.[1][2]
It is one of the top 10 largest marathons in the US. In 2006 the race agreed to its first corporate sponsorship, with Medtronic, Inc. The official name of the marathon changed in 2006 to Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon (MTCM).
In addition to the marathon, the MTCM has expanded to a full weekend of events providing opportunities for runners and wheelers of all ages and abilities. Sunday events for adults include the Medtronic TC 10 Mile, or "Shortcut to the Capitol". Medtronic TC Family Events take place on Saturday for children and adults of all ages. Saturday's races include the TC 10K, TC 5K, Diana Pierce Family Mile, Toddler Trot, Diaper Dash, and Mascot Invitational. In addition, Medtronic and the marathon's organizers sponsor a one-mile road race, for anyone from novices to professionals.
In 2006 the Twin Cities Marathon was ranked as the third most competitive marathon for American runners by Running Times magazine.[3]
In the years since inauguration, the marathon has grown to a full weekend of events including the addition of the Medtronic TC 10 Mile race as a Sunday companion event to the marathon. On the Saturday before the marathon and 10 miles (16.093 km), runners can compete in 5K and 10K runs and a variety of family events including the popular Diaper Dash and Toddler Trot events.[4]
The event is put on by thousands of volunteers, many of whom return each year. In 2004, nearly 2,500 volunteers, some who said they were motivated by an expression of their values and a love for the sport, aided the management of the race weekend and the runners.[5]
- ^ Winter, Jeff (October 2003). "City of Lakes Marathon 1975-1981: A Retrospective". Minneapolis: City of Lakes Half Marathon. Archived from the original on 8 October 2014. Retrieved October 6, 2014.
- ^ "All about the Twin Cities Marathon: Records, traffic and the route". MPRNews. St. Paul: Minnesota Public Radio. October 3, 2015. Retrieved April 11, 2021.
- ^ "2006 Marathoners of the Year". Running Times. Retrieved 2007-12-22.
- ^ "2013 Media Guide" (PDF). Twin Cities In Motion. Retrieved September 30, 2014.
- ^ Bang, Hyejin; Ross, Stephen (2009). "Volunteer Motivation and Satisfaction". Journal of Venue and Event Management. 1 (2). Columbia, South Carolina: The University of South Carolina Department of Sport and Entertainment Management.